Kaapo Kakko knows firsthand scoring that first goal of the season can sometimes be the most difficult — and maintaining the right mindset as games pass by can be even more of a burden to bear.
But the Finnish winger broke through with a goal and assist in regulation, as well as a crucial shootout goal, in the Rangers’ 4-3 shootout win over the Devils at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night.
“Ten or 11 games [without a point], something like that. It’s a long time, lot of games,” Kakko said after the win, which helped the Rangers improve to 9-3-3. “I think I got some chances before that but finally got a goal. Feeling a little better.
“I know it’s going to come eventually. We have 82 games, so I still had time. I knew it was going to come and today was the day.”
Though Kakko scored his first goal of the season relatively early in the third period, the Rangers found themselves forced into overtime, once again, when the Devils tied the game for a third time on Pavel Zacha’s goal with 2:44 remaining.
Despite the fact the Rangers poured on five shots in the extra period and faced a cold Devils goaltender in Jonathan Bernier — after Mackenzie Blackwood was pulled by a concussion spotter following Kakko’s regulation goal — the teams headed to a shootout. In addition to Kakko, Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome also scored in the skills competition before Chris Kreider buried his first career shootout goal to secure the Rangers’ third straight win.
It was also Kreider’s first shootout attempt since his rookie season.
“To be honest with you, he was hiding at the end of the bench,” head coach Gerard Gallant said jokingly. “No, Kreids is great. He’s a confident player right now.”
Kakko, who is now 3-for-5 in shootout attempts in his career, earned his first point of the season with an assist on Alexis Lafreniere’s second-period tally. The 20-year-old said he was feeling it after finally getting on the scorecard, which led to him taking his shootout attempt with confidence.
Between an early stint on injured reserve and consistent struggles to contribute offensively in the games he’s played, Kakko is still trying to figure out his role on the second line with Panarin and Ryan Strome. The fact Gallant has kept Kakko in the same spot in the lineup has meant a lot to him.
“He trusts me,” Kakko said.
After scoring three goals in the span of 63 seconds in the middle frame against the Blue Jackets on Saturday, the Rangers buried another two in the second period Sunday to give them 12 second-period goals in six games. Julien Gauthier carried the puck to the net on a partial breakaway and couldn’t capitalize, but Adam Fox trailed the play and backhanded it in to knot game 1-1.
Rangers goalie Alexandar Georgiev, who continues to struggle with breakaways and giving up rebounds, made a clutch glove save on Devils’ defenseman Ryan Graves on the other end. Georgiev finished his fourth start of the season with 24 saves.
The first shootout win of the season may have boosted team morale, but the Rangers were likely more thrilled about the youngsters getting involved offensively.
“I think right now it’s going to be a little easier,” Kakko said. “Hopefully, next games, I can score some goals.”